Inter-process communication

Inter-process communication (IPC) is when different programs on a computer talk to each other. It's like when you talk to your friends or family, but instead of using words, the programs use messages to communicate.

Think of it like a game of telephone. One program sends a message to another program, which sends it to another program, until the message reaches the right program. This is called a communication channel.

There are different ways that programs can communicate with each other. Some of them are:

- Pipes: This is like a tube that connects two programs. One program puts a message in the pipe, and the other program takes it out. Just like when you pass a secret message around in a circle with your friends.
- Shared memory: This is like a big piece of paper that two programs can write on at the same time. They can read what the other program wrote and write their own messages. It's like when you draw on a piece of paper with your friend at the same time.
- Sockets: This is like a phone call between two programs. One program makes the call and the other program answers. They can talk to each other back and forth, just like when you talk to your friends on the phone.

IPC is important because it allows programs to work together to do things that they couldn't do alone. Just like how you need your friends to help you play games or do puzzles, programs need to communicate with each other to do bigger and more complicated tasks.